Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for a low back disability are being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities did not have their onset in service or within one year of discharge. The VA examiners provided opinions against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent from May 10, 2006 to March 29, 2007. From March 29, 2007 to March 26, 2013, the rating was increased to 40 percent due to more severe symptoms and functional loss. The Veteran's back disability has not been rated higher since.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for peptic ulcer disease, psychiatric disorder, and low back disorder were denied. The case is remanded to obtain private treatment records and conduct a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to her military service and denied her claim.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity sciatica have not been found to warrant higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in service, was not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service, and is otherwise not caused or permanently aggravated by service or service-connected disabilities. As such, the claim for service connection for a low back disability has been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA and workman's compensation records, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any current back disability is related to service or a workplace injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including verification of his service dates and opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his bilateral foot disability and low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability did not develop during service and is not related to his military service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the current nature and severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted an increased rating to 30 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, hypertension, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, left heel disability, and left shoulder disability were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as they are consistent with the current 40 percent rating based on forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is found to have its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issue of COPD secondary to asbestos exposure and as a result of hypertensive heart disease remains unresolved, but the examiner did not provide sufficient rationale or opinion on this matter. Service connection for low back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of her Reserve service and scheduling VA examinations to address the claims for narcolepsy and a low back disorder.